In the 2025 NFL Draft, two teams opted to trade back into the first round to select additional players. The Giants, and Falcons both decided to seize the opportunity to add players at positions of need before they came off the board to another team. Between these two teams selecting four times, three pass rushers were selected.
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3rd Overall in the NFL Draft
First the Giants stayed put at third overall to select defensive end Abdul Carter. Carter entered the draft after three seasons with Penn State where he managed 41 tackles for a loss and 23 sacks. The 6’3 250 pound edge rusher was very vocal about wanting to play for the Eagles, instead he will play against them twice a year, putting his 4.48 speed to work chasing down Jalen Hurts and pairing with Kayvon Thibideaux.
15th Overall in the NFL Draft
Next the Falcons selected Jalon Walker the 6’1 245 pound linebacker from Georgia. Walker spent three seasons at Georgia where he collected 19 tackles for a loss, and 12.5 sacks. He would win the Dick Butkus award after the 2024 season. Walker looks poised to continue a very long line of talented front seven players that have transitioned to the NFL from UGA. In Jeff Ulbrich’s multiple scheme Walker will get every opportunity to showcase his versatile skillset.
25th Overall in the NFL Draft
The Giants get their quarterback of the future by selecting Jaxson Dart from Mississippi. Dart was the full-time starter for Ole Miss for three seasons after transferring from USC following a solid run. He leaves college having played in 45 games throwing 1,307 passes for 11,970 yards and 81 touchdowns to just 27 interceptions. He is coming off of his best season in 2024. Being selected by the Giants he won’t be forced to start right away, but don’t sleep on him seeing time early in his career. Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston both started as rookies, and its entirely plausible that Dart could win the job in camp.
26th Overall in the NFL Draft
Falcons double dip at defensive line by selecting James Pearce Jr. out of University of Tennessee. Another three year player, Pearce Jr was actually more productive in the sack department than Walker, with 19.5 sacks, and 30 tackles for a loss. The 6’5 245 pound edge rusher ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine and managed a 1.56 10-yard split displaying traits that likely have former linebacker Jeff Ulbrich excited at the possibilities.
Fits with the Giants
The Giants Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen is known for a more measured approach on defense. Rather than blitzing often, Coach Bowen leans more on dropping more guys into coverage, which means he expects his front four to produce pressure early and often. Selecting Abdul Carter to pair him with Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns makes for a very potent group for the Giants. Being able to go three deep at edge is a strength the Giants needed in 2025 to compete with mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, and Jayden Daniels.
At quarterback the Giants made it very clear before the draft they have no intentions of rushing a rookie onto the field unless he is prepared. They signed not one but two veteran players at the position, in addition to Tommy DeVito. They have three quarterbacks who can start on day one over Jaxson Dart. With Wilson, and Winston on the roster, Dart has two mentors to learn from. He also has a former NFL quarterback as an Offensive Coordinator, and a noted quarterback developer as a Head Coach. Dart might be set up for success in New York, IF the staff is allowed to stick past this season to see out the development of Dart.
Fits with the Falcons
The Falcons defense produced just 31 sacks all of last season. They did not have a single player top 6 sacks last season, with Matthew Judon and Kaden Elliss combining for 10.5 sacks. This offseason they have shown they will not tolerate this performance again. It starts at the top with the team replacing their Defensive Coordinator by bringing in Jets Interim Head Coach Jeff Ulbrich. This energy carried into free agency.
The Falcons rebuilt thier defensive line in a single season they have allowed Grady Jarrett, Lorenzo Carter, and Eddie Goldman to walk in free agency to new teams, while also choosing not to re-sign Matthew Judon, James Smith-Williams, and Demone Harris as of yet. They did however choose to re-sign Kentavius Street, and Ta’Quan Graham. They then proceeded to bring in Leonard Floyd, and Morgan Fox in free agency.
They also chose to select two more elite level athletes to add around the pieces already in place. Selecting Jalon Walker, and James Pearce Jr. allows the Falcons defense to vary their approach from game to game. Walker has been moved all over the front seven at times. He has played outside and inside linebacker. Logging nearly 1,000 snaps at multiple positions in the front seven over his three seasons at Georgia.
James Pearce Jr. saw time all over the defensive line, and linebacker corps during his time with Tennessee. In 2023 alone, Pearce saw snaps at both interior defensive line positions, both defensive end slots, all three linebacker positions, and even in a spread alignment to get him outside the tackle. The Falcons have transformed this defense in just one season, now it’s time to see if these moves pay off.
It was clear already in this year’s draft that teams placed a lot of value on defensive line, but no team prioritized the pass rush more than these two teams. The Giants used the highest first round pick on a defensive player, and the Falcons selected not one but two pass rushers to improve upon a porus unit last season.
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